GPro- 2016 (part 2)

Well, just like that-it's over!  For some people it has meant years of planning and anticipation and they have now moved into the follow-up stage. 

3,100 pastors came to Bangkok from over 100 countries last week for training in how to strengthen the world's 2 million-plus undertrained pastors. You can read more about it here and here. 

The logistics of a congress this size were enormous. 

One thing that impressed me is that the entire 8 days, the room was packed from 9:00 in the morning until almost 9:00 at night.  Some conferences, the people tire out and the crowd thins out- but not this group.  They were hungry to soak up all they could about training more pastors. 

Much of the time was spent around tables and in discussion groups, making plans for the future.

The final evening ended with a nice banquet, including some beautiful ice sculptures. 

What a treat it was for us to have two of our daughters and their families involved at the congress. 

We worked alongside around 300 of our staff and students all week, who selfishly served the delegates from early morn till late night.  Here they are in a line being thanked the last night. 

After the delegates left for their home countries, the volunteers met for a morning of praise and worship- still missing Nok and his vision for this congress. 

They were presented some special gifts from Matt and John who came from the USA to lead the operations for the congress.

After a week of lots of picture taking as internationals love to do, we needed one last iServe volunteers group photo.

And after a final lunch in a crowded, hot, and noisy mall; some of the family said a teary good-bye to each other- thankful for the chance to be together, live next door to each other in our hotel, and to work side by side at GPro-2016. 

Father's Day- 2016

Being in the smack middle of operating a conference for over 3000 pastors- Father's Day fell at a busy time this year.  However since Mike had two of his daughters here with him, it was a year worth celebrating for us.   It was special to have lunch together and the kids and moms made the daddies a DIY gift.

Just take a plain white t-shirt and let the kids draw a road track  around the back of it.  Mike put his on as soon as we got back to our room, and said it actually did feel good as Nathan and Hayley gently massaged his back while playing with their cars.

I recommend this as an easy DIY gifts for the daddies out there.  It is fun for the kids to make, and fun for the dad's to enjoy!  Happy Father's Day to Mike, Jon, Michael, and Ben!

Global Proclamation Congress for Pastoral Trainers

We now have 6 days of the GPro Congress over and just 2 days left.  There are 3100 trainers of pastors here from 108 countries.

We arrived in Bangkok last Sunday night to help our TCCC staff and some USA Cru staff for 3 days of set-up and preparation. Just looking at the big empty room, we could not help but  anticipate what God was going to do when it was full of pastors.

It has been a family summer mission.  Mike, Jon, and Michael have been working especially hard and the moms have kept busy trying to keep the children entertained in smaller meeting rooms. 

Michael has been directing the cameras and Jon has been a liaison between the Thai volunteers and English speaking staff. 

Wednesday afternoon the registrants started arriving from around the world to the Impact Convention Center in Bangkok. 

The logistics of registering and taking care of people from 108 countries is not an easy task.  In-fact, it was quite the challenge, but we had a great team of volunteers, that persevered until each person was taken care of.  Besides registration, the organizing of 3000 people in 7 hotels, three meals/day, transportation on buses, daily plenary programs, seminars, etc. take all 300 hard working volunteers each day to make it work. 

Strengthening pastoral leaders is the goal of this time together.  More than 90% of the world's pastors are under trained. Some also note that up to 70% of new churches fail within the first year.

This is not the kind of conference where delegates listen to great speakers and then go home feeling good about what they heard.  It is a 'working' congress, where much of the time is spent discussing, planning, and praying around their table work groups, seminars, and during break times.

Healthy pastors lead healthier churches, and healthier churches are more able to reach their communities for Christ. 

Each day a video is made from that day.  Watch here to see one and pray with us for these pastors to become connected, united, and strengthened to minister in their countries. 

Hilary and Daniel

Yesterday we celebrated Hilary's upcoming wedding with a shower at Marisa's house.

Marisa prepared a beautiful table and we served a yummy brunch!

Judi is Hilary's mom and we have worked together in both the Philippines and Thailand for over 34 years. We were next door neighbors with them in Bangkok when Hilary was born.  It has been fun to watch her grow up and see how God has provided the right man for her to marry.  Daniel is another Cru staff kid and they are a great match for each other. 

Bethany happened to be in town, so the three of us enjoyed doing this for Hilary together. 

Hilary has spent the last year working in China and they will live together as newlyweds in Austin, Texas.

Congratulations Hilary and Daniel! We all enjoyed throwing a party for you and we are so excited for you and your upcoming wedding and new life together!

YAY!!! The Allens are in Chiang Mai!

Michael and Bethany were in East Asia for 10 days doing some work concerning filming with our company.  They will also be working at the GPro Congress in Bangkok next week, so in between we've been able to enjoy them here in our home for two weeks.  They had this grand welcoming crew at the airport 12 days ago. Marisa and the girls love making signs and this was a fun summer craft that they did at our house in anticipation.

The cousins were so excited to meet at the airport and have had so much fun.  It was actually the first time for the Foltz family to meet Lola Mae and today she turned 9 months.

Both Michael and Bethany have loved just being in Thailand- minus the heat! Bethany has especially enjoyed all the reasonable coffee shops around town.

A trip to the Sunday night walking street is always a must.  It brings back high school memories for Bethany- and yet it's always fun to see what new handicrafts they have come out with.

Papa even joined the family at walking street, which is unusual and of course he enjoyed buying for the grand-kids.

I have really enjoyed getting to know Ellanora during this time. She is almost three and at such a fun age. She is very talkative and pleasant and smart.  We have had a lot of fun playing together at my house and she has slept in our room with us each night. She told me yesterday that I was her best friend.  Ha ha! I am really not use to keeping this busy and sometimes feel so physically exhausted - but then remind myself that I only have two weeks- so I want to enjoy it to the max.

And then there is this beautiful little doll baby- Lola Mae, named after my mama. 

She is an easy going chill baby and has won over all of our hearts.

I had not taken the time to get any pictures yet- so yesterday finally got my camera out to capture her beautiful 9 month old face.

I love her eyelashes and when she tucks in her bottom lip and scrunches up her nose. Oh....... grandma bliss, right here! 

We really have not gone on too many outings- but did stop out to see the giraffes a few days ago. 

Ellie Faye loves animals- especially the lizards on the walls in our Asian home. 

Michael and Bethany have been happiest to eat cheap Thai food. In Michael's opinion- sometimes the cheaper the better (like $2/person)

Silly 'ole Ellanora is getting her share of rice these last few weeks.

We have also had an AIA USA Women's volleyball team here in Chiang Mai the past two weeks, but Sao is doing a great job with their daily schedule.  Pray for the new contacts that they have made around Chiang Mai while here.

Life definitely has it seasons of busyness and we have been in the midst of an extremely busy time. Trips back and forth to Bangkok as we continue with leadership transitions, getting ready for the 3000 pastors that are coming for the GPRO Congress next week, (which our TCCC staff are helping a lot with), and having family in town. It's a full season that we need to live one day at a time because soon they will all be gone and life just may slow down again.